Members of the PA Wilds Planning Team have announced a new mini-grant program for 2015.
Communities, which participated in two, past workshops offered by the PA Wilds Planning Team, are invited to apply to the mini-grant program. It has a maximum grant award of $25,000, which could lead to a total project cost of $50,000 or more. Applications are due Sept. 1.
“The PA Wilds Planning Team is pleased to be able to offer these mini-grants once again,” said Jan Hampton of the Cameron County Conservation District, who serves as current chair of the Planning Team.
“Many projects have been completed through past mini-grant offerings that add natural interest and welcoming sites to our region.”
Two workshops hosted by the Planning Team were held in November of 2007 and 2012.
The 2007 workshop entitled “Balancing Commerce and Nature for Sustainable Community Development” included seven teams of community leaders to address issues of specific concern to their areas and to create “vision to action” plans to guide collaboration among diverse interests in their communities.
The 2012 workshop entitled “Connecting Nature, Economy and Community Character,” included nine teams from several, different counties looking to advance sustainable tourism projects important to their areas and that revolve around the region’s natural and cultural assets.
Teams, which participated in these workshops, are eligible to apply.
Funding for the Planning Team’s 2015 Mini-Grant Program is provided through the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC) and therefore must adhere to all statewide rules and regulations.
Eligible applicants who were members of the workshop teams, include non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, municipalities, Councils of Government and Conservation Districts.
The Planning Team anticipates making award announcements by Sept. 30.
Awardees would then have one year to complete their project. For full guidelines and an application, go to headwaterspa.org.